Album Notes

Cousin Dad When I first heard Cousin Dad play I saw what at first appeared to be a typical bluegrass band, but when the music began I was greeted with a very atypical joy and animation in performing.

Here were no stiff-jointed, glazed-eyed bluegrass purists, but a loose and limber romp into Latin country blues, jazz, fiddle tunes, bluegrass, Motown, and old-timey.

They play the songs they love and they love to play together: that is the great fun of a Cousin Dad performance.

What other string band would combine 'Good Bad and Ugly' theme with Leadbelly's 'When I Was a Cowboy' or the fiddle tune 'Whiskey Before Breakfast' in Latin jazz beat.

You will hear great originals and clever arrangements of familiar tunes that will set your ear on its ear.

They will rock out; they will pick a driving bluegrass song with soulful harmonics or fiddle a sweet waltz.

How many bass players can play the lead on fiddle tunes? Pete Mathison, their bass player can and he plays it on an upright bass.

Finally, a Cousin Dad performance has an easy warmth like a late night jam session after all the music prudes have gone to bed -- the joyful music that erupts from a group of friends at 4am around the camp fire.

Cousin Dad and it's members where awarded 4 awards at the MBOTMA award program in the year 2000.

Best Band (non-bluegrass) Best Bass Player (non-bluegrass) Best Bass Player (bluegrass) Best Mandolin Player (non-bluegrass)